John H. Jenson, age 89, of Gary, SD passed away Sunday, January 9, 2022 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 17, 2022 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gary, SD. Burial will be in the Grandview Cemetery, Gary. Visitation will be 3 – 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 16th at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gary, SD. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby, MN is entrusted with the arrangements.
John Henry Jenson was born on October 10, 1932, to Jessie and Elizabeth (McLain) Jenson. John was the youngest sibling, Leo Jenson (1917), Wilma Jenson (1922), Josephine (Jenson) Gilbertson (1924) and John (1932). John’s early years started on what is known as the Roy and Edith Denekamp farm until Jessie moved the family to the current location of the Jenson farm in approximately 1942, where it is still located today. John enjoyed playing football and baseball until his graduation in 1951 from Gary High School. After graduation, John helped on the farm until he joined the Air Force in the fall of 1952(?). John said it was below zero when he left for basics and when he got to Texas it was not. John would hitch hike back to Gary on 3 day passes and get rides along the way. John was stationed in Europe working as an airplane mechanic for the Air Force. John had many adventures in Europe during that time. After the Air Force, John returned to the family farm in Gary, South Dakota. John then met Irene Simonton and were married in January of 1967 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. To which John remained a member. John and Irene had 3 children, James Jenson of Gary, SD. Jesse Jenson of Fargo, ND and Melinda Jenson of Gary, SD. John enjoyed farming on the homestead, selling seed corn, helping neighbors, working cattle and custom round baling up until his last year. John and Irene moved into Gary in the mid 1990’s, where John served as a Gary City Councilman from 1997 until 2021. John was also a member of the Gary American Legion Post 109 and received his 60-year medallion in the fall of 2021.
John is survived by his children: James Jenson (Gary, SD), Jesse Jenson (Fargo, ND), and Melinda Jenson (Gary SD); along with his granddaughter Kelly Jenson of Fargo, ND; grandson Troy Jenson of Gary, SD and step grand-daughter Alyssa Lakner of Dallas, TX; sister-in-law Mary Simonton of Watertown, SD with many nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Irene, siblings and brothers-in-law Donald Gilbertson and Richard Simonton.
The Jenson Family would like to thank the Gilbertson family for all the help throughout the years. Steven, Stuart, Valorie and Scott, the memories are great and everlasting. Thank you. We would also like to that the community of Gary for all the support through the years as well. It’s what makes living in Gary a special place in this world. Thank you to all who sent cards, texts, phone calls and food in our time of sorrow. John will be missed by many
